Mobile unit, call origination controlling method, and call termination controlling method

ABSTRACT

A mobile unit  10  is provided with a called party number acquiring unit  102  for acquiring a called party number corresponding to a call origination command entered by a user, a number checking unit  103  for checking the called party number acquired by the called party number acquiring unit  102,  against every origination-restricted number stored in an origination-restricted number storing unit  112,  and an origination restricting unit  104  for restricting origination of a call on the basis of the result of the checking by the number checking unit  103.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a mobile unit and a callorigination controlling method for controlling call origination of themobile unit.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] The mobile units like cellular phones have a received callhistory recording function of storing calling party numberscorresponding to respective incoming calls on the occasion of receivingincoming calls. A user can know who called, by letting an indicationunit like a display indicate the calling party numbers thus stored, andcan call back to a calling party number if necessary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Nuisance calls misusing the received call history recordingfunction are now flourishing. An example thereof is that there remains acall record of an unknown number in the call history and the userviewing the call record calls back to the number whereupon a recordedguidance to obscene programs starts. This user's calling-back operationdoes not result in charging an extra fee except for a normal callcharge, but, for example, a calling-back operation with notification ofan originating party number (i.e. caller number) allows a receiver toknow the user's telephone number, which would cause a case ofencountering unexpected trouble.

[0006] An object of the present invention is, therefore, to provide amobile unit, a call origination controlling method, and a calltermination controlling method capable of reducing the trouble caused bycalling-back to call records of unknown numbers.

[0007] A mobile unit of the present invention comprises: called partynumber acquiring means for acquiring a called party number correspondingto a call origination command entered by a user; number checking meansfor checking the called party number acquired by the called party numberacquiring means, against every origination-restricted number stored inorigination-restricted number storing means; and origination restrictingmeans for restricting origination of a call on the basis of a result ofthe checking by the number checking means.

[0008] According to the mobile unit of the present invention, eachcalled party number is checked against every origination-restrictednumber and call origination is restricted on the basis of the result ofthe checking; therefore, for example, if telephone numbers of maliciouscontent providers are stored as origination-restricted numbers in theorigination-restricted number storing means, origination of calls to themalicious content providers can be restricted, which can reduce thetrouble caused by the calling-back to the call records of unknownnumbers.

[0009] The mobile unit of the present invention may be configured sothat the origination restricting means orders information outputtingmeans to output warning information on the basis of the result of thechecking by the number checking means, and permits origination of thecall when the user enters a further call origination command in reply tothe warning information outputted on the basis of the order. Forexample, even if the warning information that the called party numberagrees with an origination-restricted number previously stored, isoutputted through the information outputting means on the occasion ofcall origination, there are also cases where the user still desires tomake a call after viewing the warning information and judging that thecalled party number is not an untrustworthy number; therefore, the aboveconfiguration improves convenience more while reducing the troublecaused by calling-back to the call records of unknown numbers.

[0010] The mobile unit of the present invention may also be configuredso that the origination restricting means prohibits origination of thecall on the basis of the result of the checking by the number checkingmeans. A called party number is checked against everyorigination-restricted number and call origination is prohibited on thebasis of the result of the checking; therefore, for example, if thetelephone numbers of malicious content providers are stored asorigination-restricted numbers in the origination-restricted numberstoring means, origination of calls to the malicious content providerscan be prohibited, which can reduce the trouble caused by calling-backto the call records of unknown numbers.

[0011] Another mobile unit of the present invention comprises: calledparty number acquiring means for is acquiring a called party numbercorresponding to a call origination command entered by a user; numberchecking means for checking the called party number acquired by thecalled party number acquiring means, against everyorigination-restricted number stored in origination-restricted numberstoring means; and origination restricting means for permittingorigination of a call without notifying the called party of anoriginating number on the basis of the result of the checking by thenumber checking means.

[0012] According to the mobile unit of the present invention, eachcalled party number is checked against every origination-restrictednumber and origination of a call without notification of an originatingnumber is permitted on the basis of the result of the checking;therefore, for example, if the telephone numbers of malicious contentproviders are stored as origination-restricted numbers in theorigination-restricted number storing means, origination of calls tosuch malicious content providers will be performed without notificationof the originating number, which can reduce the trouble caused bycalling-back to the call records of unknown numbers.

[0013] The mobile unit of the present invention may be configured tofurther comprise restricted number updating means for acquiring everyorigination-restricted number to be stored in the origination-restrictednumber storing means, through an information communication network andfor storing every origination-restricted number thus acquired, in theorigination-restricted number storing means. Since theorigination-restricted numbers are acquired through the informationcommunication network to be stored in the origination-restricted numberstoring means, it is feasible to update the origination-restrictednumbers.

[0014] The mobile unit of the present invention may also be configuredto further comprise restricted number updating means for updating everyorigination-restricted number stored in the origination-restrictednumber storing means, in accordance with an update command entered bythe user. Since the origination-restricted numbers are updated accordingto an update command from the user, the origination-restricted numberscan be updated on the basis of user's wishes.

[0015] Another mobile unit of the present invention comprises: ringcounting means for counting the number of rings of an incoming call; andstorage restricting means for storing a calling party numbercorresponding to the incoming call in calling party number storing meanswhen the number of rings counted by the ring counting means is greaterthan a predetermined number, and for avoiding storing the calling partynumber corresponding to the incoming call in the calling party numberstoring means when the number of rings is not more than thepredetermined number.

[0016] According to the mobile unit of the present invention, a callingparty number corresponding to an incoming call whose number of rings isnot more than the predetermined number, is not stored in the callingparty number storing means; therefore, for example, it is feasible toreduce such acts that a malicious content provider deliberately leavesonly its calling party number in the call history.

[0017] Still another mobile unit of the present invention can beconfigured to comprise: ringing time measuring means for measuring aringing time of an incoming call; and storage restricting means forstoring a calling party number corresponding to the incoming call incalling party number storing means when the ringing time measured by theringing time measuring means is longer than a predetermined time, andfor avoiding storing the calling party number corresponding to theincoming call in the calling party number storing means when the ringingtime is not longer than the predetermined time.

[0018] According to the mobile unit of the present invention, a callingparty number corresponding to an incoming call whose ringing time is notlonger than the predetermined time, is not stored in the calling partynumber storing means; therefore, for example, it is feasible to reducesuch acts that a malicious content provider deliberately leaves only itscalling party number in the call history.

[0019] A call origination controlling method of the present inventioncomprises: a called party number acquiring step wherein called partynumber acquiring means acquires a called party number corresponding to acall origination command entered by a user of a mobile unit; a numberchecking step wherein number checking means checks the called partynumber acquired by the called party number acquiring means, againstevery origination-restricted number stored in origination-restrictednumber storing means; and an origination restricting step whereinorigination restricting means restricts origination of a call on thebasis of a result of the checking by the number checking means.

[0020] According to the call origination controlling method of thepresent invention, the number checking means checks each calling partynumber against every origination-restricted number in the numberchecking step and the call origination restricting means restricts callorigination on the basis of the result of the checking in the callorigination restricting step; therefore, for example, if the telephonenumbers of malicious content providers are stored asorigination-restricted numbers in the origination-restricted numberstoring means, origination of calls to the malicious content providerscan be restricted, which can reduce the trouble caused by calling-backto the call records of unknown numbers.

[0021] The call origination controlling method of the present inventionmay be configured so that in the origination restricting step theorigination restricting means orders information outputting means tooutput warning information on the basis of the result of the checking bythe number checking means, and permits origination of the call when theuser enters a further call origination command in reply to the warninginformation outputted on the basis of the order. For example, even ifthe warning information that the called party number agrees with anorigination-restricted number previously stored, is outputted throughthe information outputting means on the occasion of call origination,there are also cases where the user still desires to make a call afterviewing the warning information and judging that the called party numberis not an untrustworthy number; therefore, the above configurationimproves convenience more while reducing the trouble caused bycalling-back to the call records of unknown numbers.

[0022] The call origination controlling method of the present inventionmay also be configured so that in the origination restricting step theorigination restricting means prohibits origination of the call on thebasis of the result of the checking by the number checking means. Acalled party number is checked against every origination-restrictednumber and call origination is prohibited on the basis of the result ofthe checking; therefore, for example, if the telephone numbers ofmalicious content providers are stored as origination-restricted numbersin the origination-restricted number storing means, origination of callsto the malicious content providers can be prohibited, which can reducethe trouble caused by calling-back to the call records of unknownnumbers.

[0023] Another call origination controlling method of the presentinvention comprises: a called party number acquiring step wherein calledparty number acquiring means acquires a called party numbercorresponding to a call origination command entered by a user; a numberchecking step wherein number checking means checks the called partynumber acquired by the called party number acquiring means, againstevery origination-restricted number stored in origination-restrictednumber storing means; and an origination restricting step whereinorigination restricting means permits origination of a call withoutnotification of an originating number on the basis of the result of thechecking by the number checking means.

[0024] According to the call origination controlling method of thepresent invention, the number checking means checks each called partynumber against every origination-restricted number in the numberchecking step and the origination restricting means permits originationof a call without notification of the originating number on the basis ofthe result of the checking in the origination restricting step;therefore, for example, if the telephone numbers of malicious contentproviders are stored as origination-restricted numbers in theorigination-restricted number storing means, origination of calls tosuch malicious content providers will be performed without notificationof the originating number, which can reduce the trouble caused bycalling-back to the call records of unknown numbers.

[0025] The call origination controlling method of the present inventionmay also be configured to further comprise a restricted number updatingstep wherein restricted number updating means acquires everyorigination-restricted number to be stored in the origination-restrictednumber storing means, through an information communication network andstores every origination-restricted number thus acquired, in theorigination-restricted number storing means. Since theorigination-restricted numbers are acquired through the informationcommunication network to be stored in the origination-restricted numberstoring means, it is feasible to update the origination-restrictednumbers.

[0026] The call origination controlling method of the present inventionmay also be configured to further comprise a restricted number updatingstep wherein restricted number updating means updates everyorigination-restricted number stored in the origination-restrictednumber storing means, in accordance with an update command entered bythe user. Since the origination-restricted numbers are updated accordingto an update command from the user, the origination-restricted numberscan be updated on the basis of user's wishes.

[0027] A call termination controlling method of the present inventioncomprises: a ring counting step wherein ring counting means counts thenumber of rings of an incoming call; and a storage restricting stepwherein storage restricting means stores a calling party numbercorresponding to the incoming call in calling party number storing meanswhen the number of rings counted by the ring counting means is greaterthan a predetermined number, and avoids storing the calling party numbercorresponding to the incoming call in the calling party number storingmeans when the number of rings is not more than the predeterminednumber.

[0028] According to the call termination controlling method of thepresent invention, the storage restricting means avoids storing acalling party number corresponding to an incoming call whose number ofrings is not more than the predetermined number, in the storagerestricting step; therefore, for example, it is feasible to reduce suchacts that a malicious content provider deliberately leaves only itscalling party number in the call history. The call terminationcontrolling method of the present invention may also be configured toleave a call record of a number already registered in the telephonedirectory, regardless of the number of rings, in the call history andcount the number of rings for only an unregistered number.

[0029] Another call termination controlling method of the presentinvention can be configured to comprise: a ringing time measuring stepwherein ringing time measuring means measures a ringing time of anincoming call; and a storage restricting step wherein storagerestricting means stores a calling party number corresponding to theincoming call in calling party number storing means when the ringingtime measured by the ringing time measuring means is longer than apredetermined time, and avoids storing the calling party numbercorresponding to the incoming call in the calling party number storingmeans when the ringing time is not longer than the predetermined time.

[0030] According to the call termination controlling method of thepresent invention, the storage restricting means avoids storing acalling party number corresponding to an incoming call whose ringingtime is not longer than the predetermined time, in the calling partynumber storing means in the storage restricting step; therefore, it isfeasible to reduce such acts that a malicious content providerdeliberately leaves only its calling party number in the call history.The call termination controlling method of the present invention mayalso be configured to leave a call record of a number already registeredin the telephone directory, regardless of the ringing time, in the callhistory and measure the ringing time for only an unregistered number.

[0031] According to the present invention, a called party number ischecked against every origination-restricted number and the callorigination is restricted on the basis of the result of the check;therefore, for example, if the telephone numbers of malicious contentproviders are stored as origination-restricted numbers in theorigination-restricted number storing means, it is feasible to restrictthe origination of calls to the malicious content providers and toreduce the trouble caused by calling-back to the call records of unknownnumbers. Accordingly, the present invention successfully has providedthe mobile unit and call origination controlling method capable ofreducing the trouble caused by calling-back to the call records ofunknown numbers, which was the object of the present invention.

[0032] The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawingswhich are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not to beconsidered as limiting the present invention.

[0033] Further scope of applicability of the present invention willbecome apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter.However, it should be understood that the detailed description andspecific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of theinvention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changesand modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from this detaileddescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The present invention may be more readily described withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0035]FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the mobile unit as anembodiment of the present invention.

[0036]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of information stored inthe origination-restricted number storing unit in FIG. 1.

[0037]FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of information stored inthe registered number storing unit in FIG. 1.

[0038]FIG. 4 is a diagram showing examples of information stored in thecalling party number storing unit in FIG. 1.

[0039]FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a method of originating a call,using the mobile unit as an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040]FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a method of displaying the callhistory, using the mobile unit as an embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0041]FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a method of updating theorigination-restricted numbers, using the mobile unit as an embodimentof the present invention.

[0042]FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the mobile unit as anembodiment of the present invention.

[0043]FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a method of displaying the incomingcall history, using the mobile unit as an embodiment of the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0044] The knowledge of the present invention can be readily understoodin view of the following detailed description with reference to theaccompanying drawings provided only for the illustrative purpose. Thefollowing will describe embodiments of the present invention withreference to the accompanying drawings. The same portions will bedenoted by the same reference symbols as much as possible, and redundantdescription will be omitted.

[0045] The mobile unit 10, which is an embodiment of the presentinvention, will be described referring to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagramfor explaining the configuration of the mobile unit 10. The mobile unit10 is configured to be communicable with base station 20 and exchangeinformation through the base station 20 with a mobile communicationnetwork.

[0046] The mobile unit 10 is, physically, a cellular phone having thedata communication function as well and adopts the PDC (Personal DigitalCellular) method, which is one of TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access)systems. The mobile unit 10 may also be a digital cellular phone ofanother system such as the CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) systemand can also adopt such a system as GPRS (General Packet Radio Service).A variety of data-transmissible systems can be adopted according toneeds. Furthermore, it may employ the so-called third-generation mobilecommunication systems like IMT-2000.

[0047] The mobile unit 10 includes such functional components as aninput unit 101, a called party number acquiring unit (called partynumber acquiring means) 102, a number checking unit (number checkingmeans) 103, an origination restricting unit (origination restrictingmeans) 104, a call originating unit 105, a restricted number updatingunit (restricted number updating means) 106, a call terminating unit107, a ring counting unit (ring counting means) 108, a storagerestricting unit (storage restricting means) 109, a display unit(information outputting means) 110, a registered number storing unit111, an origination-restricted number storing unit(origination-restricted number storing means) 112, and a calling partynumber storing unit (calling party number storing means) 113. Thefollowing will detail each of the components.

[0048] The input unit 101 is a portion serving as an interface when theuser enters information into the mobile unit 10, including input buttonsand dials. More specifically, for the user to register telephone numbersin the mobile unit, the user enters such information in the input unit101 through the input buttons and the input unit 101 stores the inputinformation of the telephone numbers and correspondent party names inthe registered number storing unit 111. When the user desires to make acall and enters a call origination command, e.g., a telephone number,the input unit 101 outputs the telephone number as a called party numberto the called party number acquiring unit 102. The entry of thetelephone number may be done by depressing the numeral buttons of theinput buttons at every call origination or by selecting one ofpreliminarily registered telephone numbers through the use of the inputbottoms and dials. Alternatively, the mobile unit is provided with aredial function of storing a corresponding telephone number at everycall origination from the mobile unit and the user is allowed to selectthe telephone number specified by the redial function.

[0049] The called party number acquiring unit 102 is a portion whichacquires a called party number corresponding to each call originationcommand entered by the user. More specifically, when the user enters atelephone number by depressing the numeral buttons in the input unit101, the acquiring unit 102 acquires the telephone number outputted bythe input unit 101, as a called party number. When the user selects atelephone number out of those preliminarily registered, using the inputbuttons and dials, the acquiring unit 102 acquires the telephone numbercorresponding to a selection command outputted by the input unit 101, asa called party number. The mobile unit also has the redial function ofautomatically recording a telephone number at every outgoing call, theincoming call history recording function of recording a caller numberand other information at every incoming call, and a function oforiginating a call from a browser, and the acquiring unit 102 alsoacquires a telephone number as a called party number from those. Thecalled party number acquiring unit 102 outputs the called party numberthus acquired, to the number checking unit 103.

[0050] The number checking unit 103 is a portion which checks the calledparty number acquired by the called party number acquiring unit 102,against every origination-restricted number stored in theorigination-restricted number storing unit 112. The number checking unit103 is also a portion which checks the called party number acquired bythe called party number acquiring unit 102, against every registerednumber stored in the registered number storing unit 111. First, theorigination-restricted number storing unit 112 and the registered numberstoring unit 111 will be described below.

[0051]FIG. 2 shows an example of information stored in theorigination-restricted number storing unit 112. In the example of FIG.2, the origination-restricted number storing unit 112 storesorigination-restricted numbers, restriction contents corresponding tothe respective origination-restricted numbers, and registration dateswhen the origination-restricted numbers were registered, incorrespondence with each other. Each origination-restricted number is asuspicious telephone number like a telephone number of a maliciouscontent provider and number with which origination of a call should berestricted or prohibited on the occasion of call origination to thetelephone number. In the case of the present embodiment the restrictioncontents are classified under three types, “warning,” “prohibited,” and“no caller number.” With “warning,” a warning is issued to the user andcall origination thereafter is performed only if the user still desiresto make a call. With “prohibited,” a process of originating no call isperformed regardless of user's wishes. With the restriction “no callernumber,” the mobile unit performs a process of originating a callwithout notifying the called party of the caller number of the mobileunit 10. The information stored in the origination-restricted numberstoring unit 112 may be transmitted to another mobile unit by infraredcommunication specified by IrDA (Infrared Data Association) or by a mailfunction.

[0052]FIG. 3 shows an example of information stored in the registerednumber storing unit 111. In the example of FIG. 3, the registered numberstoring unit 111 stores registered numbers and designations like realnames corresponding to the registered numbers. Each registered number isa number like a called party's telephone number to which the user usingthe mobile unit 10 frequently makes calls, and such information as anaddress of the called party may also be stored in correspondencetherewith.

[0053] When a called party number acquired by the called party numberacquiring unit 102 agrees with a registered number stored in theregistered number storing unit 111, the number checking unit 103determines that the called party number is not a suspicious telephonenumber, and outputs the result of the determination along with thecalled party number to the origination restricting unit 104. Forexample, when the called party number is “033-CCC-DDDD,” it can bedetermined that the called party number is the telephone number with thename of “◯◯ΔΔ,” and thus the number checking unit 103 outputsinformation to order execution of a normal call origination process,together with the called party number “033-CCC-DDDD,” to the originationrestricting unit 104.

[0054] When a called party number acquired by the called party numberacquiring unit 102 agrees with an origination-restricted number storedin the origination-restricted number storing unit 112, the numberchecking unit 103 determines that the called party number is asuspicious telephone number, and outputs the result of the determinationalong with the called party number to the origination restricting unit104. For example, when the called party number is “033-AAA-BBBB,” thenumber checking unit 103 can determine that the restriction is“warning,” and thus the number checking unit 103 outputs the informationto order execution of a call origination process after warning the user,together with the called party number “033-AAA-BBBB,” to the originationrestricting unit 104.

[0055] The origination restricting unit 104 is a portion which restrictscall origination on the basis of the result of the checking on thecalled party number by the number checking unit 103. More specifically,when the number checking unit 103 checks the called party number againstthe registered numbers stored in the registered number storing unit 111and if the called party number agrees with a registered number, theorigination restricting unit 104 outputs information to order executionof the normal call origination process along with the called partynumber to the call originating unit 105. On the other hand, when thenumber checking unit 103 checks the called party number against theorigination-restricted numbers stored in the origination-restrictednumber storing unit 112 and if the called party number agrees with anorigination-restricted number, the origination restricting unit 104performs a restricted call origination process.

[0056] In the example of FIG. 2, when the called party number is“033-AAA-BBBB,” the restriction is “warning,” and thus the originationrestricting unit 104 outputs instruction information to order thedisplay unit 110 to display an indication “The called party can beinappropriate. Do you still want to make a call? “Yes” or “No”.” If theuser of the mobile unit 10 viewing the display selects “Yes,” the inputunit 101 outputs the selected information to the origination restrictingunit 104. The origination restricting unit 104 outputs instructioninformation to order the call originating unit 105 to originate the callto “033-AAA-BBBB” in accordance with the output from the input unit 101.

[0057] When the called party number is “050-XXX-YYYY,” the restrictionis “prohibited,” and thus the origination restricting unit 104 outputsno instruction information for call origination to the call originatingunit 105. The origination restricting unit 104 may be configured tooutput instruction information to instruct the display unit 110 todisplay an indication “The called party can be inappropriate and no callis originated.” on this occasion. Furthermore, when the called partynumber is “050-XYZ-YYYY,” the restriction is “no caller number,” andthus the origination restricting unit 104 outputs instructioninformation to instruct the call originating unit 105 to originate acall without notification of the caller number of the mobile unit 10 to“050-XYZ-YYYY.”

[0058] The display unit 110 is a portion for displaying characterinformation and/or image information like a liquid crystal display. Thecall originating unit 105 is a portion for carrying out the callorigination process to the base station 20 on the basis of instructioninformation from the origination restricting unit 104.

[0059] The restricted number updating unit 106 is a portion whichacquires origination-restricted numbers to be stored in theorigination-restricted number storing unit 112, through an informationcommunication network and which stores the origination-restrictednumbers thus acquired, in the origination-restricted number storing unit112. More specifically, the restricted number updating unit 106 acquiresthrough the base station 20 the origination-restricted numberstransmitted from an origination-restricted number management server (notshown) included in the information communication network, together withsuch information as registration dates, and stores theorigination-restricted numbers and registration dates thus acquired, inthe origination-restricted number storing unit 112. If anorigination-restricted number thus acquired is one previously stored inthe origination-restricted number storing unit 112, the restrictednumber updating unit 106 writes the information over a correspondingarea to update the information. The information transmitted with theorigination-restricted number can include such information as anexpiration date, in addition to the registration date, in certain cases.The restricted number updating unit 106 also functions to delete anorigination-restricted number whose expiration date has passed. Forexample, supposing the expiration date is set to be a half year since aregistration date, the restricted number updating unit 106 deletes theinformation about the origination-restricted number of “033-AAA-BBBB“ onJul. 10, 2001 after a half year has passed since Jan. 10, 2001 of itsregistration date.

[0060] Furthermore, the restricted number updating unit 106 may also beconfigured to update the origination-restricted numbers in accordancewith an update command entered by the user. The restricted numberupdating unit 106 may also be configured so that, when anorigination-restricted number stored in the origination-restrictednumber storing unit 112 is not one transmitted from theorigination-restricted number management server (not shown), theupdating unit 106 transmits the origination-restricted number to theorigination-restricted number management server (not shown). Thisconfiguration permits each user to register suspicious telephone numbersfound thereby in the origination-restricted number management server(not shown). The restricted number updating unit 106 may be arranged toautomatically transmit the origination-restricted numbers or transmitthem on the basis of a command from the user, to theorigination-restricted number management server (not shown).

[0061] The origination-restricted number management server (not shown)may be configured so that, when it receives an origination-restrictednumber transmitted from the restricted number updating unit 106 and whenthe same telephone number is received from a specific number of users orfrom users over a fixed number, the server transmits the telephonenumber as an origination-restricted number to other mobile units (notshown). The origination-restricted number management server (not shown)may also be configured so that, when it receives anorigination-restricted number transmitted from a mobile unit of a highlyreliable user preliminarily registered, the server transmits thetelephone number thus received, as an origination-restricted number toother mobile units (not shown). The origination-restricted numbermanagement server (not shown) may also be configured to store theorigination-restricted numbers transmitted to each mobile unit asdescribed above, in the form of a data list and, in that case, theserver may also be configured to add a telephone number that should bedisclosed as an origination-restricted number for an appropriate reason,as described previously, to the data list.

[0062] The call terminating unit 107 is a portion which performs a calltermination process from the base station 20. More specifically, it is aportion performing a process of acquiring a calling party numbertransmitted from the base station 20 and outputting a call start and acall end of the incoming call to the ring counting unit 108, in additionto the normal call termination process.

[0063] The ring counting unit 108 is a portion which counts the numberof rings corresponding to each incoming call and which outputs thenumber of rings along with the calling party number to the storagerestricting unit 109.

[0064] The storage restricting unit 109 is a portion which is soconfigured that, when the number of rings counted by the ring countingunit 108 is greater than a predetermined number, the storage restrictingunit 109 stores a calling party number corresponding to an incoming callin the calling party number storing unit 113 and that, when the numberof rings is not more than the predetermined number, the storagerestricting unit 109 avoids storing a calling party number correspondingto an incoming call in the calling party number storing unit 113. Forexample, supposing the predetermined number is set as one, the storagerestricting unit 109 avoids storing a calling party number correspondingto an incoming call whose number of rings is one, in the calling partynumber storing unit 113, but it stores a calling party numbercorresponding to an incoming call whose number of rings is two or more,in the calling party number storing unit 113. The storage restrictingunit 109 may also be so configured that, when a calling party numberagrees with an origination-restricted number, it avoids storing thecalling party number in the calling party number storing unit 113.Instead of the process of avoiding storing the calling party number inthe calling party number storing unit 113, the storage restricting unit109 may also be configured to store the calling party number with suchattendant information as the number of rings in a storage area differentfrom that for normal calling party numbers. Furthermore, the storagerestricting unit 109 may be configured to store the calling party numberas an origination-restricted number in the origination-restricted numberstoring unit 112. Cases where the storage restricting unit 109determines that the calling party number is an origination-restrictednumber, include a case where the number of rings is not more than thepredetermined number, a case where the user judges an incoming call asabnormal ringing and gives a command to store its calling party numberas an origination-restricted number, and so on.

[0065] The calling party number storing unit 113 is a portion whichstores calling party numbers and names corresponding to the callingparty numbers in correspondence with each other, as shown in FIG. 4(a).In the designation column, where a calling party number agrees with aregistered number stored in the registered number storing unit 111, aname corresponding to the registered number is stored. The calling partynumber storing unit 113 may also be configured to store an attributecorresponding to each calling party number together with the callingparty number and name corresponding thereto, as shown in FIG. 4(b). Thisattribute is displayed on the display unit 110 so as to permit the userto view it, so that the user can determine which calling party number isnormal and which calling party number is suspicious.

[0066] Subsequently, a method of performing call origination by means ofthe mobile unit 10 will be described below with reference to FIG. 5. Inthe first step the user enters a call origination command includinginformation to specify a telephone number of a party to be called, inthe input unit 101 of the mobile unit 10 (step S01). The callorigination command thus entered is outputted from the input unit 101 tothe called party number acquiring unit 102.

[0067] The called party number acquiring unit 102 acquires the calledparty number corresponding to the call origination command outputtedfrom the input unit 101 (step S02). When in the step S01 the user entersthe telephone number by depressing the numeral buttons in the input unit101, the called party number acquiring unit 102 acquires the telephonenumber outputted from the input unit 101, as a called party number. Whenin the step S01 the user selects the called party number out of thosepreliminarily registered thereby, those recorded in the redial function,and those specified by the call history, through the use of the inputbuttons and dials, the called party number acquiring unit 102 acquiresthe telephone number corresponding to the selection command outputtedfrom the input unit 101, as a called party number. The called partynumber acquiring unit 102 outputs the called party number thus acquired,to the number checking unit 103.

[0068] The number checking unit 103 determines whether the called partynumber agrees with any registered number stored in the registered numberstoring unit 111 (step S03). When the called party number acquired bythe called party number acquiring unit 102 agrees with a registerednumber stored in the registered number storing unit 111, the numberchecking unit 103 determines that the called party number is not asuspicious telephone number, and outputs the result of the determinationwith the called party number to the origination restricting unit 104.For example, where the called party number is “033-CCC-DDDD,” the numberchecking unit can determine that the called party number is the-telephone number with the name of “◯◯ΔΔ,” and thus outputs theinformation to order execution of the normal call origination process,with the called party number “033-CCC-DDDD” to the originationrestricting unit 104. The origination restricting unit 104 outputs theinstruction information to instruct the call originating unit 105 toperform the normal call origination process, and the call originatingunit 105 performs the normal call origination process on the basis ofthe instruction information (step S04).

[0069] When in the step S03 the called party number does not agree withany registered number, the number checking unit 103 determines whetherthe called party number acquired by the called party number acquiringunit 102 agrees with any origination-restricted number stored in theorigination-restricted number storing unit 112 (step S05). When thecalled party number does not agree with any origination-restrictednumber, the number checking unit 103 determines that the called partynumber is not a suspicious telephone number, and outputs the result ofthe determination with the called party number to the originationrestricting unit 104, followed by the process in step S04.

[0070] When the called party number agrees with anorigination-restricted number on the other hand, the number checkingunit 103 determines that the called party number is a suspicioustelephone number, and outputs the result of the determination with thecalled party number and the restriction content to the originationrestricting unit 104. The origination restricting unit 104 determineswhether the restriction content is “warning” (step S06). When therestriction content is “warning,” the origination restricting unit 104outputs the instruction information to instruct the display unit 110 todisplay a warning, and the display unit 110 displays the warning (stepS07).

[0071] After the display unit 110 displays the warning, the originationrestricting unit 104 goes into a standby state in which input of a callorigination command is awaited (step S08). When the user enters a callorigination command in the input unit 101, the call origination commandis outputted to the origination restricting unit 104 and the process inthe step S04 is carried out. On the other hand, when the user does notinput a call origination command in the input unit 101, the originationrestricting unit 104 cancels the call origination process (step S09).

[0072] When it is determined in the step S06 that the restrictioncontent is not “warning,” the origination restricting unit 104determines whether the restriction content is “prohibited” (step S10).When the restriction content is “prohibited,” the originationrestricting unit 104 outputs instruction information to instruct thedisplay unit 110 to provide display of the fact, and the display unit110 displays an indication of call prohibited (step S11). After thedisplay unit 110 displays the indication of call prohibited, the processin step S09 is carried out.

[0073] When the restriction content is not “prohibited” in step S10, theorigination restricting unit 104 determines that the restriction contentis “no caller number,” it outputs a call origination command to orderexecution of the call origination process no caller number of the callernumber, to the call originating unit 105. The call originating unit 105performs the call origination process without notification of thecalling party number in accordance with the call origination command(step S12).

[0074] Subsequently, a method of storing a call record with an incomingcall to the mobile unit 10 will be described below referring to FIG. 6.When a third party tries originating a call to the mobile unit 10, calltermination information is transmitted from the base station 20 to themobile unit 10 (step S21).

[0075] When the call terminating unit 107 of the mobile unit 10 receivesthe call termination information, the call terminating unit 107 acquiresa calling party number and outputs it to the ring counting unit 108. Thering counting unit 108 counts the number of rings corresponding to theincoming call and outputs the counted number with the calling partynumber to the storage restricting unit 109 (step S22).

[0076] The storage restricting unit 109 determines whether the callingparty number agrees with any normal registered number stored in theregistered number storing unit 111 (step S23).

[0077] When in the step S23 the calling party number does not agree withany normal registered number, the storage restricting unit 109determines whether the number of rings is greater than the predeterminednumber (step S24). When the number of rings is not more than thepredetermined number (e.g., one), the storage restricting unit 109performs a non-display process of the call record, for example, bydiscarding the calling party number corresponding to the incoming call(step S25).

[0078] When in the step S24 the number of rings is greater than thepredetermined number (e.g., one), the storage restricting unit 109determines whether the calling party number agrees with anyorigination-restricted number stored in the origination-restrictednumber storing unit 112 (step S26).

[0079] When in the step S26 the calling party number agrees with anorigination-restricted number, the storage restricting unit 109 outputsinformation to order display of the warning, to the display unit 110,and the display unit 110 displays the warning (step S27).

[0080] When in the step S23 the calling party number agrees with aregistered number or when in the step S26 the calling party number doesnot agree with any origination-restricted number, the storagerestricting unit 109 performs a process of storing the information aboutthe calling party number in the calling party number storing unit 113and performing the normal call record displaying operation (step S28).

[0081] Subsequently, a method of updating the origination-restrictednumbers stored in the origination-restricted number storing unit 112 ofthe mobile unit 10 will be described below referring to FIG. 7. Therestricted number updating unit 106 of the mobile unit 10 is in astandby state in which it awaits reception of update information oforigination-restricted numbers (step S31).

[0082] When the restricted number updating unit 106 receives updateinformation of origination-restricted numbers, it stores the updateinformation thus received, in the origination-restricted number storingunit 112 (step S32).

[0083] When the restricted number updating unit 106 does not receive anyupdate information of origination-restricted numbers, it checks whetherthe expiration date of any origination-restricted number stored in theorigination-restricted number storing unit 112 has passed (step S33).

[0084] If the expiration date of an origination-restricted number storedin the origination-restricted number storing unit 112 has passed, therestricted number updating unit 106 performs a process of deleting theorigination-restricted number (step S34).

[0085] The operation and effect of the present embodiment will bedescribed. The number checking unit 103 of the mobile unit 10 checks acalled party number against the origination-restricted numbers and theorigination restricting unit 104 restricts call origination on the basisof the result of the check; therefore, if the telephone numbers ofmalicious content providers are stored as origination-restricted numbersin the origination-restricted number storing unit 112, it is feasible torestrict the origination of calls to the malicious content providers andto reduce the trouble caused by calling-back to the call records ofunknown numbers.

[0086] Even if at the time of call origination the display unit 110provides output of the warning information that the called party numberagrees with an origination-restricted number preliminarily stored and ifthe user views the warning information and determines that the calledparty number is not an untrustworthy number, the call origination willbe permitted, which improves convenience more while reducing the troublecaused by calling-back to the call records of unknown numbers.

[0087] Since the origination restricting unit 104 of the mobile unit 10prohibits the call origination on the basis of the result of the checkby the number checking unit 103, if the telephone numbers of maliciouscontent providers are stored as origination-restricted numbers in theorigination-restricted number storing unit 112, it is feasible toprohibit the origination of calls to the malicious content providers andto reduce the trouble caused by calling-back to the call records ofunknown numbers.

[0088] Since the mobile unit is constructed in the configuration whereinthe number checking unit 103 checks a called party number against theorigination-restricted numbers and wherein the origination restrictingunit 104 permits the origination of a call without notification of theoriginating number on the basis of the result of the check, if thetelephone numbers of malicious content providers are stored asorigination-restricted numbers in the origination-restricted numberstoring unit 112, the call origination will be permitted withoutnotification of the originating number to such malicious contentproviders, which can reduce the trouble caused by calling-back to thecall records of unknown numbers.

[0089] Since the mobile unit is provided with the restricted numberupdating means for acquiring the origination-restricted numbers to bestored in the origination-restricted number storing unit 112, throughthe information communication network and for storing theorigination-restricted numbers thus acquired, in theorigination-restricted number storing unit 112, it is feasible to updatethe origination-restricted numbers.

[0090] Since the storage restricting unit 109 avoids storing a callingparty number corresponding to an incoming call with the number of ringsnot more than the predetermined number, in the calling party numberstoring unit 113, it is feasible, for example, to reduce such acts thatthe malicious content providers deliberately leave only their callingparty numbers in the call history.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the storage restricting unit 109 wasconfigured to store a calling party number corresponding to an incomingcall the number of rings of which was greater than the predeterminednumber, in the calling party number storing unit 113 but avoid storing acalling party number corresponding to an incoming call the number ofrings of which was not more than the predetermined number, in thecalling party number storing unit 113. In addition, the storagerestricting unit 109 can be provided with an additional terminationnotification controlling function as described below.

[0092] Namely, the storage controlling unit 109 does not output anytermination notification command to a termination notification unit notshown, while the number of rings is not more than the predeterminednumber. On the other hand, it outputs a termination notification commandto the termination notification unit when the number of rings exceedsthe predetermined number. The termination notification unit herein is aportion performing a termination notification process for notifying theuser of the mobile unit 10, of an incoming call, and the terminationnotification command is a signal serving as a trigger for letting thetermination notification unit start the termination notificationprocess. The above termination notification process can be selected fromvarious processes including sound of ring tone, activation of avibrator, blink of a light, a text indication of “incoming call” on adisplay, and so on.

[0093] By adding this termination notification controlling function, itis feasible to prevent the termination notification process from beingactivated against every call termination the number of rings of which isnot more than the predetermined number. As a result, the user of themobile unit 10 is liberated from botheration such as the terminationprocess, the termination canceling process, and so on.

[0094] The above termination notification control may be arranged to beexecuted for all incoming calls or to be executed for only incomingcalls from calling party numbers not stored in the registered numberstoring unit 111 (unregistered originating numbers).

[0095] The above embodiment was so configured that the ring countingunit 108 counted the number of rings corresponding to each incoming calland that the storage restricting unit 109 stored a calling party numbercorresponding to an incoming call in the calling party number storingunit 113 when the number of rings thereof was greater than thepredetermined number, and avoided storing a calling party numbercorresponding to an incoming call in the calling party number storingunit 113 when the number of rings thereof was not more than thepredetermined number, but it is also possible to employ a modificationexample as described below.

[0096]FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the mobile unit according tothe modification example and FIG. 9 a flowchart showing a method ofdisplaying the call history, using the mobile unit according to themodification example.

[0097] The mobile unit 10 of the modification example is different fromthe mobile unit 10 of the above embodiment in that, as shown in FIG. 8,the mobile unit 10 is provided with a ringing time measuring unit 120(ringing time measuring means) for measuring a ringing timecorresponding to an incoming call and for outputting it with a callingparty number to the storage restricting unit 109, instead of the ringcounting unit 108 of the mobile unit 10 in the above embodiment.

[0098] In this case, the call terminating unit 107 performs a process ofacquiring a calling party number transmitted from the base station 20and outputting a call start and a call end of an incoming call to theringing time measuring unit 120, in addition to the normal calltermination process.

[0099] Furthermore, in this case, the storage restricting unit 109stores a calling party number corresponding to an incoming call in thecalling party number storing unit 113 when the ringing time measured bythe ringing time measuring unit 120 is longer than a predetermined time,but avoids storing a calling party number corresponding to an incomingcall in the calling party number storing unit 113 when the ringing timeis not longer than the predetermined time (cf. step S40 in FIG. 9). Forexample, supposing the predetermined time is set at two seconds, acalling party number corresponding to an incoming call whose ringingtime is not longer than two seconds is not stored in the calling partynumber storing unit 113, but a calling party number corresponding to anincoming call whose ringing time is longer than two seconds is stored inthe calling party number storing unit 113.

[0100] This configuration also prevents the storage restricting unit 109from storing a calling party number corresponding to an incoming callwhose ringing time is not longer than the predetermined time, in thecalling party number storing unit 113, so that it is feasible to reducesuch acts that the malicious content providers deliberately leave onlytheir calling party numbers in the incoming call history, for example.In this case, the unit may also be so configured that a numberregistered in the telephone directory is left in the call history,regardless of its ringing time, and that the ringing time is measuredfor only unregistered numbers.

[0101] In the modification example, the storage controlling unit 109 mayalso be provided with an additional termination notification controllingfunction of avoiding outputting a termination notification command tothe termination notification unit while the ringing time is not longerthan the predetermined time, but outputting the termination notificationcommand to the termination notification unit when the ringing timebecomes longer than the predetermined time.

[0102] From the invention thus described, it will be obvious that theembodiments of the invention may be varied in many ways. Such variationsare not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of theinvention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilledin the art are intended for inclusion within the scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile unit comprising: called party numberacquiring means for acquiring a called party number corresponding to acall origination command entered by a user; number checking means forchecking the called party number acquired by the called party numberacquiring means, against every origination-restricted number stored inorigination-restricted number storing means; and origination restrictingmeans for restricting origination of a call on the basis of a result ofthe checking by the number checking means.
 2. The mobile unit accordingto claim 1, wherein the origination restricting means orders informationoutputting means to output warning information on the basis of theresult of the checking by the number checking means, and permitsorigination of the call when the user enters a further call originationcommand in reply to the warning information outputted on the basis ofthe order.
 3. The mobile unit according to claim 1, wherein theorigination restricting means prohibits origination of the call on thebasis of the result of the checking by the number checking means.
 4. Amobile unit comprising: called party number acquiring means foracquiring a called party number corresponding to a call originationcommand entered by a user; number checking means for checking the calledparty number acquired by the called party number acquiring means,against every origination-restricted number stored inorigination-restricted number storing means; and origination restrictingmeans for permitting origination of a call without notification of anoriginating number on the basis of the result of the checking by thenumber checking means.
 5. The mobile unit according to claim 1, furthercomprising restricted number updating means for acquiring everyorigination-restricted number to be stored in the origination-restrictednumber storing means, through an information communication network andfor storing every origination-restricted number thus acquired, in theorigination-restricted number storing means.
 6. The mobile unitaccording to claim 2, further comprising restricted number updatingmeans for acquiring every origination-restricted number to be stored inthe origination-restricted number storing means, through an informationcommunication network and for storing every origination-restrictednumber thus acquired, in the origination-restricted number storingmeans.
 7. The mobile unit according to claim 3, further comprisingrestricted number updating means for acquiring everyorigination-restricted number to be stored in the origination-restrictednumber storing means, through an information communication network andfor storing every origination-restricted number thus acquired, in theorigination-restricted number storing means.
 8. The mobile unitaccording to claim 4, further comprising restricted number updatingmeans for acquiring every origination-restricted number to be stored inthe origination-restricted number storing means, through an informationcommunication network and for storing every origination-restrictednumber thus acquired, in the origination-restricted number storingmeans.
 9. The mobile unit according to claim 1, further comprisingrestricted number updating means for updating everyorigination-restricted number stored in the origination-restrictednumber storing means, in accordance with an update command entered bythe user.
 10. The mobile unit according to claim 2, further comprisingrestricted number updating means for updating everyorigination-restricted number stored in the origination-restrictednumber storing means, in accordance with an update command entered bythe user.
 11. The mobile unit according to claim 3, further comprisingrestricted number updating means for updating everyorigination-restricted number stored in the origination-restrictednumber storing means, in accordance with an update command entered bythe user.
 12. The mobile unit according to claim 4, further comprisingrestricted number updating means for updating everyorigination-restricted number stored in the origination-restrictednumber storing means, in accordance with an update command entered bythe user.
 13. A mobile unit comprising: ring counting means for countingthe number of rings of an incoming call; and storage restricting meansfor storing a calling party number corresponding to the incoming call incalling party number storing means when the number of rings counted bythe ring counting means is greater than a predetermined number, and foravoiding storing the calling party number corresponding to the incomingcall in the calling party number storing means when the number of ringsis not more than the predetermined number.
 14. A mobile unit comprising:ringing time measuring means for measuring a ringing time of an incomingcall; and storage restricting means for storing a calling party numbercorresponding to the incoming call in calling party number storing meanswhen the ringing time measured by the ringing time measuring means islonger than a predetermined time, and for avoiding storing the callingparty number corresponding to the incoming call in the calling partynumber storing means when the ringing time is not longer than thepredetermined time.
 15. A call origination controlling methodcomprising: a called party number acquiring step wherein called partynumber acquiring means acquires a called party number corresponding to acall origination command entered by a user of a mobile unit; a numberchecking step wherein number checking means checks the called partynumber acquired by the called party number acquiring means, againstevery origination-restricted number stored in origination-restrictednumber storing means; and an origination restricting step whereinorigination restricting means restricts origination of a call on thebasis of a result of the checking by the number checking means.
 16. Thecall origination controlling method according to claim 15, wherein insaid origination restricting step the origination restricting meansorders information outputting means to output warning information on thebasis of the result of the checking by the number checking means, andpermits origination of the call when the user enters a further callorigination command in reply to the warning information outputted on thebasis of the order.
 17. The call origination controlling methodaccording to claim 15, wherein in said origination restricting step theorigination restricting means prohibits origination of the call on thebasis of the result of the checking by the number checking means.
 18. Acall origination controlling method comprising: a called party numberacquiring step wherein called party number acquiring means acquires acalled party number corresponding to a call origination command enteredby a user; a number checking step wherein number checking means checksthe called party number acquired by the called party number acquiringmeans, against every origination-restricted number stored inorigination-restricted number storing means; and an originationrestricting step wherein origination restricting means permitsorigination of a call without notification of an originating number onthe basis of the result of the checking by the number checking means.19. The call origination controlling method according to claim 15,further comprising a restricted number updating step wherein restrictednumber updating means acquires every origination-restricted number to bestored in the origination-restricted number storing means, through aninformation communication network and stores everyorigination-restricted number thus acquired, in theorigination-restricted number storing means.
 20. The call originationcontrolling method according to claim 16, further comprising arestricted number updating step wherein restricted number updating meansacquires every origination-restricted number to be stored in theorigination-restricted number storing means, through an informationcommunication network and stores every origination-restricted numberthus acquired, in the origination-restricted number storing means. 21.The call origination controlling method according to claim 17, furthercomprising a restricted number updating step wherein restricted numberupdating means acquires every origination-restricted number to be storedin the origination-restricted number storing means, through aninformation communication network and stores everyorigination-restricted number thus acquired, in theorigination-restricted number storing means.
 22. The call originationcontrolling method according to claim 18, further comprising arestricted number updating step wherein restricted number updating meansacquires every origination-restricted number to be stored in theorigination-restricted number storing means, through an informationcommunication network and stores every origination-restricted numberthus acquired, in the origination-restricted number storing means. 23.The call origination controlling method according to claim 15, furthercomprising a restricted number updating step wherein restricted numberupdating means updates every origination-restricted number stored in theorigination-restricted number storing means, in accordance with anupdate command entered by the user.
 24. The call origination controllingmethod according to claim 16, further comprising a restricted numberupdating step wherein restricted number updating means updates everyorigination-restricted number stored in the origination-restrictednumber storing means, in accordance with an update command entered bythe user.
 25. The call origination controlling method according to claim17, further comprising a restricted number updating step whereinrestricted number updating means updates every origination-restrictednumber stored in the origination-restricted number storing means, inaccordance with an update command entered by the user.
 26. The callorigination controlling method according to claim 18, further comprisinga restricted number updating step wherein restricted number updatingmeans updates every origination-restricted number stored in theorigination-restricted number storing means, in accordance with anupdate command entered by the user.
 27. A call termination controllingmethod comprising: a ring counting step wherein ring counting meanscounts the number of rings of an incoming call; and a storagerestricting step wherein storage restricting means stores a callingparty number corresponding to the incoming call in calling party numberstoring means when the number of rings counted by the ring countingmeans is greater than a predetermined number, and avoids storing thecalling party number corresponding to the incoming call in the callingparty number storing means when the number of rings is not more than thepredetermined number.
 28. A call termination controlling methodcomprising: a ringing time measuring step wherein ringing time measuringmeans measures a ringing time of an incoming call; and a storagerestricting step wherein storage restricting means stores a callingparty number corresponding to the incoming call in calling party numberstoring means when the ringing time measured by the ringing timemeasuring means is longer than a predetermined time, and avoids storingthe calling party number corresponding to the incoming call in thecalling party number storing means when the ringing time is not longerthan the predetermined time.